More Race Meets Coming to Del Mar?

There's no question that Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood is closing. Currently, a land development company waits for the right time to turn the tract of land into a 238-acre mixed-use community. When that happens, race meets and the thousands of horses kept at the stalls will move to other racetracks, and that includes Del Mar.

In response, a group of Del Mar Racetrack advocates, are urging racetrack officials to start preparing for additional meets and more visitors at Del Mar.

"The challenge for Del Mar will be to be ready for both a stronger summer meet, and the allocation of additional [Hollywood Park] weeks, by providing the easy access to the track for the race fans, the workers, and the “party goers” from all around Southern California..." reads the update from Del Mar locals Richard and Helen Eckfield.

However, the exact number of meets to come to Del Mar, however, is still up in the air.

According to Mike Marten, spokesperson for the California Horse Racing Board, the developers have not yet given the six-month notice they agreed to provide before closing.

"In the meantime," says Marten, "they request to continue being licensed in order to continue conducting their race meets."

As for the number of additional meets that are on the way to Del Mar, that is also unknown. Marten says that the commissioners on the California Horse Racing Board will meet next month to set next year's racing calendar.

"[Will] additional dates will go to Del Mar? No one can say with certainty."

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Comments

This article seems to imply that if the state board extends the season, it's a done deal. I doubt that. Will the 22nd District board want to accept the extended season? What will the locals say, and what influence will they have? (Many Del Martians barely tolerate the fair and the racing season now--they'll raise Cain about a longer season.) Now there is an early summer hiatus between the fair and the start of racing season. Would that be shortened? Would the racing community accept that? Or would the season be extended into the fall?

This blog raises many, many questions that really need to be answered.